Three Stars: Chad Kackert, Adam Bighill and Trent Guy shine in Week 14′s action
It's another edition of our Three Stars series, examining Week 14's top offensive, defensive, special teams and Canadian players.
First star/offensive player of the week: Chad Kackert, running back, Toronto Argonauts: Kackert has missed much of this season with various injuries, but on Saturday, he showed off the form that earned him a Grey Cup MVP nod in 2012. Kackert rushed 13 times for 155 yards (giving him a ridiculous average of 11.9 yards per carry) against the Edmonton Eskimos, leading an incredible comeback that saw the Argos score 33 straight points en route to their historic fourth-straight road victory. He made some spectacular plays, too, including a 49-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and a crucial fumble recovery for a touchdown in the fourth. If Kackert keeps performing like this, he'll be an excellent weapon for the Argos down the stretch.
(Honourable mentions: Duron Carter, WR, Montreal; Clarence Denmark, WR, Winnipeg; Jabari Arthur, SB, Calgary.)
Second star/defensive player of the week: Adam Bighill, linebacker, B.C. Lions: Bighill turned in a dominant showing in B.C.'s 53-17 win over Winnipeg Friday night, recording 10 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery off the Bombers' first offensive series that he took for a touchdown. It was an incredible showing from Bighill, who told Scott Edmonds of The Canadian Press it was one of the most remarkable stat sheets he'd ever collected:
"That's probably stats-wise one of the most impressive professional games I've ever played," he said. "It's not something you go out there and try to do. You just go out there and play every down and what happens happens."
Bighill has been a huge part of the B.C. defence this year despite shifting to the outside to make room for Solomon Elimimian's return, and that defence as a whole has been crucial to how the team keeps winning without Travis Lulay. That's going to be vital to keep up with Monday's news that Lulay will be gone for at least two more weeks. If Bighill and the defence can maintain this level of play, though, the Lions will be tough to beat regardless of who they have under centre.
(Honourable mentions: Patrick Watkins, DB, Toronto; Jamar Wall, DB, Calgary; Robert McCune, LB, Toronto.)
Third star/special teams player of the week: Trent Guy, punt returner/kick returner, Toronto Argonauts: It's tough to replace injured legend and reigning Most Outstanding Player Chad Owens, but Guy provided the Argonauts with some excellent return production in Owens' place this week, collecting 131 yards on four kick returns (a 32.8 yard per return average) and adding 50 yards on five punt returns (a 10 yard per return average). He helped give them some crucial field position during their second-half comeback.
(Honourable mentions: Paul McCallum, P/K, B.C.; Rene Paredes, K, Calgary; Tristan Jackson, PR/KR, Saskatchewan.)
Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Jabari Arthur, slotback, Calgary Stampeders: With several key members of the Stampeders' receiving corps battling through injuries, Arthur stepped up in a big way Saturday against Hamilton. He had 342 receiving yards and one touchdown on the season heading into this one, but promptly caught four balls for 103 yards and two touchdowns against the Tiger-Cats. It was a great showing, and one that suggests Arthur might deserve a bigger role in the Calgary offence going forward.
(Honourable mentions: Chris Getzlaf, WR, Saskatchewan; Henoc Muamba, LB, Winnipeg; Andy Fantuz, WR, Hamilton.)
Want to nominate a candidate for next week's Three Stars? Get in touch with me via Twitter or e-mail during the week's games.